Refuse container

ABSTRACT

An improved apparatus and method is disclosed to deter animals from foraging for food in refuse containers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/340,638, entitled “Improved Refuse Container”, filed Mar. 16,2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Refuse barrels or other refuse containers of various size and shape areused widely to collect rubbish, trash and garbage before being picked upby a disposal service. Such containers are typically placed outdoors incommercial or residential areas where the odors of discarded foodproducts frequently attract various animals, including vermin and pests.

Animals frequently gain access to the contents of some such containers,even in urban and suburban areas, by, for example, toppling them andcausing the covers to pop open and the contents to spill. The resultingmess frequently attracts more animals and pests. Since these containers,or at least their covers, are commonly made of plastic, animals may alsogain access to the contents by chewing holes through the container wallsor covers and thus damaging them. U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,393, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses the use of atrash bag with a quantity of animal repellent secured to the interior ofthe bag. During use, the repellent is typically in a bag full of refuse.Placing the repellent in the plastic trash bag limits the amount of therepellent that reaches the exterior of the refuse container. Since themass of refuse placed within the bag is typically much greater than themass of repellent, any repellent scent that escapes the trash bag isnecessarily diluted by other scents in the bag and is, therefore, lesseffective. Placing such repellents or deodorants inside trash bags mayresult in them being covered by refuse when the container is partiallyor completely full. Under such circumstances, the effectiveness ofrepellents or deodorants may be hindered or eliminated completely.

Such bags are typically shipped and sold in rolls containing many bags.The mass of repellent tucked in folded bags would interfere with theprocess of rolling them up. Since the particular repellent used withsuch bags must be preselected, they cannot be tailored to specificapplications or locations by using the most effective repellent for aparticular location. Repellents prepacked with bags may also losepotency over time and may, therefore, have a limited shelf life.

Wild animals foraging for food in refuse containers in populated areasmay lose their fear of humans, which can be problematic. It can lead toincreased attacks on people, children, and pets as well as injury towild animals. It can also lead to the spread of diseases, such asrabies.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Animals are typically attracted to the odor of discarded food. Sincerefuse containers are typically not airtight, sufficient such odorsfrequently escape from refuse containers to attract animals.

Various repellents can be used to drive away animals that forage forfood in refuse containers. These repellents are typically specific to ananimal or group of animals. Some repellents include the scent of apredator that the animal has a natural fear of. For example, products byShake-Away in Hamden, Conn., can be used to repel various types ofanimals such as raccoons, skunks and squirrels. Alternatively, productssuch as deodorants can be used to mask the odors of discarded food sothat they no longer attract animals. Products such as mothballs may beused to mask the smell of discarded food products.

It is an object of this invention to secure a receptacle such as, forexample, a box, bag or pouch to a refuse container. The receptacle canbe used to securely hold repellents or deodorants. The receptacle may beattached permanently or temporarily to the refuse container. A refusecontainer typically comprises a substantially cylindrical body, abarrel, and a lid or cover, although containers of other shapes may alsobe used. The lid of a refuse container may be separate from or attachedto the body of the container. Alternatively a receptacle may be attachedto buildings, fences or posts. It is preferred that the receptacle haveopenings that allow scent emanating from materials placed in thereceptacle to diffuse out while limiting access, to the contents of thereceptacle, by young children, pets, or wild animals. The receptacle maybe attached to the interior of the refuse container or to its exterior.It is preferred that the receptacle openings be exposed to the exteriorof the refuse container so that the scent of the repellent is dispersedpreferentially outside the refuse container compared to the scent of thecontents of the refuse container. The receptacle may be incorporatedduring the manufacturing process into the structure of the refusecontainer or cover, for example, by molding the receptacle as a part ofsuch components. Alternatively, these receptacles may be attachedpermanently by devices such, for example, as screws or rivets orattached so that they may be easily removed, for example, by hooks,ties, bolts, snap connectors, straps, belts, buttons, Velcro or zippers.Alternatively the receptacle may be attached to various sections of therefuse container or other objects by using adhesives or sticky tape.

It is another object of this invention to configure a receptacle to havean adjustable cover that can be used to vary the size of the receptacleopening in order to regulate the rate at which the scent is allowed toemanate from the receptacle. The adjustable cover may also be used toclose off the receptacle when desired.

It is a further object of this invention to configure a receptacle withan opening designed so that it can be conveniently emptied, cleaned andrefilled with repellent or deodorant.

It is yet another object of this invention that a receptacle isconfigured to store deodorants or repellents in one or more of severalforms, for example, powders, solids, shavings, or liquids. Sponges,cotton balls or other absorbent materials impregnated with variousrepellents or deodorizers may also be placed in such a receptacle.

It is yet another object of this invention to configure a receptacle,for holding repellents or deodorants, that can be attached or otherwisesecured to other structures, such as walls, fences, or posts, forexample in the vicinity of where the refuse containers are kept.

It is a further object of this invention that a receptacle for holding arepellent or deodorant is sealed in a discardable receptacle. Such areceptacle is pre-filled with an amount of repellent or deodorant and isconfigured to be conveniently attachable to any desired surface orobject including the interior or exterior of a refuse container.

It is preferred that receptacles be configured to be water resistant andresistant to weather including rain, snow, direct sunshine, heat andwind.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of an embodiment of a refuse container, with aseparate lid configured according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a refuse container, with a separate lid,configured according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic of an aspect of the lid of the embodiment inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of another aspect of the lid in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic of another aspect of the lid in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic of a refuse container with two receptaclesconfigured according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 a show a schematic of a refuse container configured according toa further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 b shows another schematic of a refuse container configuredaccording to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 c shows a schematic of refuse container lid configured accordingto another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic of a receptacle configured according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic of a receptacle configured according to yetanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic of a discardable receptacle configuredaccording to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic of a receptacle configured according to yet afurther embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the schematic of refuse container 1 with lid 2 and barrel 2a. The lid comprises a hub 3, a receptacle within the hub, a receptaclecover 4, and one or more holes 5. The holes may be used to dispersematerials contained in the receptacle to the environment. The cover 4may be removed to gain access to the interior volume of the receptacle.

FIG. 2 a shows a similar refuse container to that shown in FIG. 1, butwith one or more dispersal holes 6 located at the rim of the lid. Hub 3may be configured with a receptacle with cover 4. A centrally locatedhub comprising the receptacle is preferred, although the receptacle maybe located at any convenient location on the lid.

FIG. 2 b shows a schematic of the bottom view of the structure of thelid of the embodiment in FIG. 2 a. The bottom of the hub 11, whichincludes a receptacle and is connected to an outer ring 12 by one ormore channels or conduits 13 which can transfer material from thereceptacle to one or more holes (not shown) located at the periphery ofthe outer ring 12. FIG. 2 c shows a schematic of a section view of thelid in FIG. 2 b. Hub 11 is connected to the peripheral annular ring 12with channels 13.

FIG. 3 a shows a schematic of a side view of the lid for a refusebarrel, such as barrel 2 a shown in FIG. 2 a, configured with one ormore peripheral holes 21 and hub 22. The hub may be configured with aremovable cover for access for filling or cleaning the receptaclevolume. The receptacle access cover may, for example, be located at thebottom or top of the hub and may be secured to the hub by any convenientmechanism, for example threads, screws and nuts, snaps or by usingfrictional interference fit.

FIG. 3 b shows a schematic of a section view of the lid in FIG. 3 a. Theinterior volume of the receptacle 23 is connected to the volume withinthe peripheral annular ring 24 by the volume within one or more channels25. One of more holes 21 are used to disperse material placed in thereceptacle 23 to the surrounding environment.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a section of the inner structure of the hub3 shown in FIG. 2 b. The hub 30 in FIG. 4 is connected to the lid 32 byany convenient manner including, for example, with adhesives, by bondingthe pieces thermally, by molding the hub and the rim in one piece, or byusing connecting screws, rivets or other attachment techniques.

The conduits 33 may also be connected to the lid by any convenientmanner or molded in one piece with the lid. The hub 30 may contain agroove 34 that can receive the narrow lip of a cover. The flexible nib35 may be used to allow the cover lip to snap into and be retained inthe groove. Also shown is the connection hole 36 between innerreceptacle volume 31 and the interior volume of a conduit.

FIG. 5 a shows a schematic of a cover 40 with a narrow lip 41 configuredto snap into groove 34 in FIG. 4. The cover may have a cylindricalextension 42 with openings 43. Openings 43 may be aligned with openingsat the inner ends of channels 36 in FIG. 4 where they connect to thereceptacle. By rotating the cover 41, the ends of channels 36 may bepartially or fully blocked thus regulating the dispersion of thecontents within the receptacle. FIG. 5 b shows a schematic of the topview of the cover. Handle 44 may be used to rotate the cover 41 or toextract the lip from groove 34, shown in FIG. 4, by pulling on thehandle.

FIG. 6 a shows a schematic of a further embodiment of a refuse container45 with an approximately cylindrical barrel shaped body 46 and lid 47. Ameshed semi-circular opening 48 is located below container handle 49.The meshed opening allows scent from animal repellents or deodorantscontained in a receptacle to diffuse out into the surroundings. Thesemi-circular cover 50 may be rotated about a central pivot to regulateor stop diffusion of repellents or deodorants through opening 48, shownin FIG. 6 a, by partially or fully blocking it. FIG. 6 b shows the topview of the barrel shaped body 46 and two receptacles 51 located behindopening 48 on two opposing sides of the refuse container. Section of therefuse container shown in FIG. 6 c illustrates the structure of thereceptacles 51. Cover 52 of each receptacle is used to gain access tothe inner volume 52 a of each of the receptacles to, for example,replenish repellent or deodorant material. Handle 49 of the refusecontainer also serves to deflect rain water away from the mesh coveredopening 48.

FIG. 7 a shows a schematic of a refuse container 53, configuredaccording to yet another embodiment of the invention. A mesh coveredopening 54 is used to allow material to disperse from a receptaclewithin the refuse container, in the interior of the refuse barrel, tothe surroundings. A slidable cover 55 may be moved upwardly ordownwardly to vary the amount of the meshed opening that is exposed.FIG. 7 b shows a schematic of yet another embodiment configuredaccording to the invention with a receptacle 56 attached to the innersurface of a barrel shaped body of a refuse container. A cover 57 may beused to vary the exposed mesh surface 58 by sliding it upwardly ordownwardly. FIG. 7 c shows a schematic of a further embodiment of a lidwith a receptacle 59 attached to its inside surface. The embodiments inFIGS. 7 b and 7 c disperse the material contained in the receptacle tothe interior of the refuse container.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic of a receptacle 61, configured according to anembodiment of the invention, made of flexible material with a meshcovered opening 62. The receptacle may be attached to a refuse containerof any convenient shape at any convenient interior or exterior position.Holes 63 may be used to attach the receptacle by using any convenientattachment devices, for example, screws, hooks, ties or snaps. Azippered opening 64 may be used to add or remove material from thereceptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle may be attached to anyconvenient structure such as, for example, a wall, fence or post. It ispreferred that such structures be in the vicinity of the refusecontainer.

FIG. 9 a shows a schematic of yet another receptacle 71, configuredaccording an embodiment of the invention, that may be removably attachedto a refuse container using a strap 72. The strap is preferably rigidand made of a convenient metal. A perforated opening 73 is utilized fordispersing repellents and deodorants. Slide door 74 and handle 75 may beused to vary the size of the perforated opening. An access door 76 maybe used to empty or refill or clean the receptacle.

FIG. 9 b illustrates the receptacle in FIG. 9 a mounted on the interiorsurface of the barrel of a refuse container. A cross section of thebarrel wall 77 is shown. The receptacle is removably attached to thebarrel wall 77 by means of bolt 77 a and nuts 77 b and 77 c. Alternativemounting configurations are shown in FIGS. 9 c and 9 d. In FIG. 9 c, thereceptacle is mounted on the interior of the refuse container wall andin FIG. 9 d it is mounted on the exterior. Bolts 77 d and 77 e are usedto removably attach the receptacle to the barrel, but do not penetratethe barrel wall 77. The strap 72 is preferably thin enough so that itdoes not prevent the lid from seating satisfactorily about the rim 78 ofthe barrel.

FIG. 10 a is a schematic which shows a yet further embodiment of areceptacle configured according to the invention. It is a prepackageddisposable receptacle 81 containing a repellent or deodorant. A holder82 that can receive the receptacle 81 may be affixed to the innersurface or outer surface of the refuse container or any other convenientsurface. The receptacle 81 may be attached to the holder by, forexample, inserting the backing board 83 into slots 84 in the holder. Thereceptacle may also be attached to the holder by using other devicessuch as, for example, Velcro or peel and stick strips. Alternatively,the receptacle may be attached directly to the refuse container surfacesor surfaces of nearby structures without using holder 82. FIG. 10 bshows the bottom view of receptacle 81 with perforations. Perforationsare preferably positioned so that the contents are protected from, forexample, rain and snow.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic of still another embodiment of a receptacleaccording to the invention. Receptacle 91 is comprised of a mesh coveredopening 92 which is protected from, for example, inclement weather byshield 93. Straps 94 and 95 and buckle 96 may be used to attach thereceptacle to a refuse container or any other convenient object such asa gutter downspout or fence post. Receptacle 91 may be filled withrepellents for various animals such as, for example, raccoons, deer,skunks, or squirrels. It may be used to repel animals from variousobjects and locations, such as, for example, refuse containers, and alsogardens, and bird feeders.

The invention has been described in terms of its functional principlesand several illustrative embodiments. Many variants of these embodimentswill be obvious to those of skill in the art based on thesedescriptions. Therefore, it should be understood that the ensuing claimsare intended to cover all changes and modifications of the illustrativeembodiments that fall within the literal scope of the claims and allequivalents thereof.

1. A container for collecting refuse, the container comprising: a barrelor body a lid or cover a receptacle for holding animal repellent ordeodorant attached to said container comprising an opening for diffusingthe material within the receptacle to the surroundings of the container.2. The container of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is attached to saidlid.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein said opening is on the exteriorof said container.
 4. The container of claim 3 wherein said opening iscovered with a mesh material.
 5. The container of claim 3 wherein saidopening is covered with a perforated opening.
 6. The container in claim3 wherein the receptacle is attached to the exterior of said container.